The mother of all modern day Mexico vs Puerto Rico boxing clashes is almost upon us. Miguel Cotto vs Canelo Alvarez is an expected classic.

Miguel Cotto vs Canelo Alvarez – Boxing at it’s best

If you have even the remotest interest in boxing or combat sports, this weekend’s titanic middleweight collision between two of professional boxing’s most entertaining protagonists simply cannot be missed.

You’ve got a wonderful clash of boxing styles at middleweight where both men will be strong, along with the pride that will be at stake due to the national boxing rivalry between the countries of both men (Mexico and Puerto Rico), and you’ve also got the old lion vs young lion story going on.

TV Info: HBO Pay Per View in the States, BoxNation in the UK and Ireland.

Live Stream: BoxNation.

Betting Odds

The bookies tend to the think that the fight like most people will be a close encounter, but are giving the younger man Canelo the slight edge thus far in the outright betting markets to win:

Perhaps from more of a value perspective, looking at the betting markets in the method of victory sections might be worth more of a flutter:

If Miguel Cotto were to win, one would think it would be using what might be deemed by some as superior boxing skills, thus making a Cotto decision win at 4/1 above look very attractive indeed.

Canelo on the other hand might have a couple of ways to win, with the odds accordingly considerably less. However a Canelo outright win on points as part of an accumulator/parlay on a multi-sport/boxing flutter might also be an option.

The bookies don’t get it wrong too often but as people in this sport will tell you, one punch can change it all.

Prediction

It’s one of those real toss up fights where on the night, the guy with the best game plan who wants it more will come out victorious.

There’s been a lot made of Miguel Cotto’s resurgence in recent years since moving up to middleweight and hooking up with legendary trainer Freddie Roach, but I just wonder about the opposition he’s faced at the higher weight compared to what he’ll be facing in Canelo this weekend.

From a technical standpoint if Cotto gets into his boxing groove early and has his timing and distance down, Canelo might have to go chasing a little in the fight, which could play into Cotto’s hands of looking to outpoint the younger man over the duration, potentially.

Canelo’s no mug in the boxing skills department too mind you, having only ever been outclassed by the brilliant Floyd Mayweather. I think Canelo will try to employ some of his more obvious advantages on the night with Cotto however, in terms of his youth, strength and size.

At some point in the fight, you’d have to think things are going to really come alive and the question for me will be, how much does Cotto have left if he were torn into a war with a younger man moving up to a weight that arguably he will be much stronger and fitter at?

It’s a close fight, no doubt about it.

The pride that will be at stake for both men will be immense and controlling this passion will be hard to do for the full twelve rounds, you would think.

For me, I just feel Canelo will win this one due to his greater life force with his youth advantage and timing is everything in boxing.

I think the time will be right for the young lion to beat the old lion this weekend in what could be a real barnstormer of an affair.

See Also:

In case you missed the action on Saturday, we've got you covered below with the Canelo vs Cotto full fight video from Vegas. ________________________________________________________________________________ The fight was touted as a potential fight for the ages, what happened wasn't quite that in truth, as a boxing match ensued for the most part, but towards the end the contest really started to come…